Latinos celebrate anniversary of Virgin Mary's appearance

TRENTON — On Wednesday evening, dozens of faithful Catholics from Trenton and surrounding areas made their way to Saint Joachim Church where the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of Mexico, was venerated to honor the Virgin Mary, who is said to have appeared to a Mexican native 481 years ago.

A celebration began at 6 p.m. with a serenade to the Virgin Mary and continued with a Spanish mass at 7 p.m. celebrated by the Rev. Jeffrey Lee.

“Our Lady of Guadalupe is an important image for many Catholics in Mexico and the United States. It has deeply influenced religious life in the Latino community,” explained Jose Luis Reyes a native of Mexico who has lived in Trenton for 8 years.

Legend has it that the Virgin Mary appeared to an indigenous peasant, Juan Diego, on the outskirts of Mexico City. She spoke to him in his native language, not in the Spanish of the colonizers. When the regional Bishop asked for proof of the appearance, Juan Diego delivered a cloak full of off-season roses he collected from a usually barren hilltop. He dropped the roses at the feet of the Bishop and discovered the image of the Virgin Mary in the cloak where he carried the flowers. This Marian apparition is referred to as Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Catholics attribute millions of conversions to that image of the Lady of Guadalupe and stories of the appearance.

“Many people not only from Mexico, but all Latinos feel a personal connection with Our Lady of Guadalupe,” said Manuel Calvo, one of the coordinators at Saint Joachim’s.